The total number of cattle and calves in Illinois on Jan. 1 was 1.07 million head, which is 3 percent below last year's total, and the lowest cattle inventory on record for the state.
Beef cow inventory was down 6 percent from 2011, to 331,000, while milk cows were up 1 percent, to 99,000.
Nationally, the number of cattle and calves was also down. As of Jan. 1, the number of cattle and calves was 90.8 million head, 2 percent below the 92.7 million recorded on Jan. 1, 2011.

Expanding loan opportunities to beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers is the goal of a program recently introduced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Illinois Farm Service Agency.
"U.S.D.A. continues to find ways to improve our services for farmers and ranchers by streamlining processes, accelerating delivery and using innovative solutions to 21st century agricultural issues," said Scherrie Giamanco, Illinois FSA executive director.

Woolsey Brothers dinner is March 1
Woolsey Brothers Farm Supply will be holding its annual customer appreciation dinner on Thursday, March 1.
The event will include a meal and entertainment by country music Moe Bandy. Two times are being offered for the event – one at noon and one at 6:30 p.m. Both will be held at the Crawford Hale American Legion Home.
Woolsey Brothers Farm Supply has been hosting events for its customers for 51 years.
Illinois Beef Expo to run Feb. 23-26

The good news: We haven’t had any really cold weather this winter.
The bad news: We haven’t had any really cold weather this winter.
Though a mild winter like the one we’re having is comfortable for humans, it also allows bugs and diseases to survive over the winter months.

The Brownstown School District Board of Education will host an open house on Friday, Feb. 24, to honor a long-time district employee who is retiring at the end of February.

Nancy Kistler has served as district bookkeeper, secretary and treasurer since Feb. 26, 1979. She will retire on Feb. 29.
The open house will be held from 2-4 p.m. in the Brownstown Elementary School cafeteria. Cake and punch will be served.

✔ TOPS IL 2490 will meet from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Ramsey. Weigh-in is from 9-9:30 a.m. For more information, contact Dovie Heaton-Bergin at 283-1729.
✔ A meeting of the Downtown Vandalia Merchants Co-op will be held at 5 p.m. at Old Town Cheese on Gallatin Street.
✔ TOPS IL 1872, Ramsey, will meet at the Christian Church in Ramsey. Weigh-in is at 6:20 p.m., and the meeting is at 7 p.m.
Friday, February 17

A series featuring businesses along Gallatin Street in downtown Vandalia continues, with new businesses first being introduced, followed by those businesses that have faithfully persevered through the years to keep the downtown area alive in a friendly manner while providing quality merchandise.